DCSD recognizes top academically performing students
Each year, high schools throughout the country choose at least two seniors that exemplify dedication, determination, discipline, and excellence.
These students, through rigorous study and precise performance, rise to the top of their graduating class over the course of their four years at school, eventually earning the titles of valedictorian and salutatorian.
Both distinctions are some of the highest honors awarded by DeKalb County School District (DCSD), which recognizes valedictorians and salutatorians each year at an official ceremony, which took place this year at the Robert R. Freeman Administration & Instruction Complex on May 9, 2019. Twenty-eight valedictorians and twenty-six salutatorians were named for the DCSD Class of 2019.
Valedictorians are the highest ranking seniors from each graduating class as determined by grade-point average. The name is derived from the Latin phrase, “vale dicere” or “to say farewell.” This is rooted in the valedictorian’s role as the final speaker of each year’s graduation ceremony.
Salutatorians are the second-highest ranking senior from each graduating class and are also determined by grade-point average. The name is derived from the term “salutatory,” and applied because salutatorians often deliver the welcoming address at graduation ceremonies.
In the event of a tie, such as the cases at Lithonia High School and Southwest DeKalb High School this year, a co-valedictorian or co-salutatorian pair is named.
A Night to Remember
The May 9 event featured words of inspiration from district officials and students, as well as a surprise gift from the district’s Information Technology department in the form of Acer Chromebooks. The special delivery was made possible through a partnership between DCSD, Acer, and Virtucom.
Superintendent/CEO Dr. R. Stephen Green listed the collective accomplishments of valedictorians and salutatorians, which include being awarded the National Merit Scholarship; Zell Miller Scholarship; Gates Millennium Scholarship; Bryan Cameron Impact Scholarship; Coca-Cola Scholarship; Posse Foundation Scholarship; Angie Merit Scholarship; Dell Scholarship; Lithonia Chamber of Commerce Scholarship, Colorado University Boulder Chancellor Achievement Scholarship.
According to Dr. Green, the Valedictorians and Salutatorians also participated in, or were members of, National Honor Society, Beta Club; JROTC; National Spanish Honor Society;
National German Honor Society; National English Honor Society; Heroes in Action Network; Atlanta Urban Debate League; VEX Robotics; and the Harvard Debate Council Diversity Project.
Students also claimed the PAGE STAR Student award; the AP Scholar Award; the Yale Book Award; the Hank Johnson District Congressional Art Award; the US Army Scholastic Excellence Award; the Regeneron Science Talent Search Award; and the Certificate of Merit and more.
“This is your resume, and to the parents and families who are gathered here today, you should be proud. Poke your chest out,” Dr. Green said. “As you go on, remember, you will go on to great things and we expect great things of you, but you will not separate from us. You will be an extension of us wherever you go. Congratulations, job well done!”
Looking Toward the Future
With such high achievement, the vals and sals of 2019 will attend such higher education institutions as Albany State, Bard, Brandeis, Emory, George Mason, Georgia College, Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Harvard, Howard, Lafayette College, Loyola Maryland, Mercer, Michigan State, Middle Georgia, North Carolina A&T, Oglethorpe, George Washington, Trinity College, Westpoint, University of Georgia, Kentucky, Virginia, Southern California, West Georgia, Warren Wilson, and Wesleyan.
Lakeside High School valedictorian Zoe Weiss had the distinct honor of providing the class inspiration to students at the DCSD ceremony on May 9. A self-proclaimed “science nerd,” Weiss stated the entire Class of 2019 Val and Sal list were also science nerds based on its ability to be future-minded to better the present.
“Thank you to the countless educators at DeKalb County School District—thank you for 13 years of unparalleled education and academic opportunities to thrive, which no one would be here without,” Weiss said. “Kindergarten to senior year is 13 years. We attend school 180 days per year; that’s 2,340 days of school. School goes from approximately 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., so seven hours a day for 2,340 days means we spend 16,380 hours in school. Why? And what did the people in this room—the vals and sals of DeKalb County—do so right during this 16,380 hours do so right? The short answer is, a lot.”
Weiss noted that it is important that, collectively, the Class of 2019’s valedictorians and salutatorians conquered many obstacles from many sets of circumstances. She claimed the diversity of DCSD is unfathomable in its scope and depth—and that’s what makes it uniquely strong.
“What we did right is spend the 16,380 hours transforming the diversity around us into inclusion,” Weiss said. “We have fostered an inclusive community that creates world-class students with diverse backgrounds who realizes that the hardest challenges must be addressed by multi-disciplinary teams. We celebrate the uniqueness in thought, backgrounds, perspectives, and intellectual pursuits. We crave the challenge of tackling the unforeseen. We’re recognized for being innovative and bold. Whether we know it or not, the hard work we put into our assignments and extracurriculars makes a difference in our communities, the state, the nation, and the world.”
DeKalb County Board of Education member Vickie Turner also provided words of wisdom to attendees. Turner reminded students to stay vigilant in their pursuit of knowledge, even when being recognized for their dedication, hard work, and determination. She also advised that students pursue passion and purpose rather than a paycheck.
“Learning is lifelong,” Turner said. “Although you have almost completed this phase, you have so much more to grab and explore. Pride yourself on being a lifelong learner. Learning is a journey, not a destination. When you stop learning, you do not have much to look forward to in life. Never stop learning. Learning is a social act. Go beyond your wildest dreams while exploring the unknown and charting your own path. We expect great contributions from you and know you will not let us down. We are so proud of you.”
The evening ended with refreshments and photo opportunities between vals, sals, family, and attending DCSD staff.
| High School | Class Rank | Student | Future School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arabia Mountain | Magnet Valedictorian | Janae Baker | North Carolina A&T State University |
| Resident Valedictorian | Arantza Pena Popo | University of Southern California | |
| Magnet Salutatorian | Daija Jackson | North Carolina A&T State University | |
| Resident Salutatorian | Kamaya Walker | North Carolina A&T State University | |
| Cedar Grove | Valedictorian | Chloe Dixon | Mercer University |
| Salutatorian | Audrey Choutpouen Nsangou | George Mason University | |
| Chamblee Charter | Magnet Valedictorian | Sherwin Shirazi | University of Georgia |
| Resident Valedictorian | Eshaan Agrawal | University of Georgia | |
| Magnet Salutatorian | Lee-San Sun | Georgia Institute of Technology | |
| Resident Salutatorian | Debajyoti Das | Georgia State University | |
| Clarkston | Valedictorian | Evanne’ J Casimir | Georgia State University |
| Salutatorian | Paw Thaw Thaw | Georgia State University | |
| Columbia | Magnet Valedictorian | Brandy Jackson | University of Kentucky |
| Resident Valedictorian | Christina Lewis | Georgia College | |
| Magnet Salutatorian | Keonna Timmons | Georgia Institute of Technology | |
| Resident Salutatorian | Thierno Doumbouya | Georgia State University | |
| Cross Keys | Valedictorian | Deanna Lin | Georgia Institute of Technology |
| Salutatorian | Amanda Perdomo | Middle Georgia State University | |
| DeKalb Early College Academy | Valedictorian | Kelsey Brew | Georgia Institute of Technology |
| Salutatorian | Aaron Patterson | Howard University | |
| DeKalb School of the Arts | Valedictorian | Mariya Kurbatova | Bard College |
| Salutatorian | Ella Biehn | Wesleyan University | |
| Druid Hills | Valedictorian | Sabina Iqbal | Emory University |
| Salutatorian | Haris Miller | Georgia Institute of Technology | |
| Dunwoody | Valedictorian | Madeline Tapp | Georgia Institute of Technology |
| Salutatorian | Caroline Shewmaker | Georgia Institute of Technology | |
| Martin L. King Jr. | Valedictorian | Jasmine White | University of Georgia |
| Salutatorian | Mikaili Williams | Oglethorpe University | |
| Lakeside | Valedictorian | Zoe Weiss | Harvard University |
| Salutatorian | Shani Edmond | Georgia Institute of Technology | |
| Lithonia | Co-Valedictorian | Alexandra Hamilton | University of West Georgia |
| Co-Valedictorian | Sara Nunez | Georgia State University | |
| Salutatorian | Rebecca Zhang | Georgia State University | |
| Ronald E. McNair | Valedictorian | Taniya Scott | Albany State University |
| Salutatorian | Kathy Romero | University of Georgia | |
| Miller Grove | Valedictorian | Rashon Poole | Michigan State University |
| Salutatorian | Breonna Lenon | Georgia Southern University | |
| Redan | Valedictorian | Ar’Monii Price | University of Virginia |
| Salutatorian | Seinab Mohamed | University of Georgia | |
| Southwest DeKalb | Magnet Valedictorian | Gabrielle Huff | University of Georgia |
| Resident Co-Valedictorian | Jamia Craft | University of Georgia | |
| Resident Co-Valedictorian | Nyanyoh Jokwi | Georgia Southern University | |
| Magnet Salutatorian | Sarah Sileshi | University of Georgia | |
| Resident Salutatorian | Darielicia Finley | U.S. Military Academy at Westpoint | |
| Stephenson | Valedictorian | Mychal Anderson | University of Georgia |
| Salutatorian | Rochelle Hall | Georgia State University | |
| Stone Mountain | Valedictorian | Bawi Par | The George Washington University |
| Salutatorian | Haileyesus Ayalew | Loyola University Maryland | |
| Tapestry Public Charter | Valedictorian | Xavier Butler | Brandeis University |
| Salutatorian | Miles Lamberson | Warren Wilson College | |
| Towers | Valedictorian | Deion Kelly | Trinity College |
| Salutatorian | B’leaka Martins | Lafayette College | |
| Tucker | Valedictorian | Usman Saeed Jamal | Georgia Institute of Technology |
| Salutatorian | Leah Whitmoyer | University of Georgia |